Investigative Toxicology Scientist I

Company: Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research
Location: Frederick
Posted on: February 11, 2026

Job Description:

Investigative Toxicology Scientist I Job ID: req4477 Employee Type: exempt full-time Division: Applied & Development Research Program Facility: Frederick: Ft Detrick Location: PO Box B, Frederick, MD 21702 USA The Frederick National Laboratory is operated by Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. The lab addresses some of the most urgent and intractable problems in the biomedical sciences in cancer and AIDS, drug development and first-in-human clinical trials, applications of nanotechnology in medicine, and rapid response to emerging threats of infectious diseases. Accountability, Compassion, Collaboration, Dedication, Integrity and Versatility; it's the FNL way. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNL) is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and operated by the prime contractor Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. FNL is responsible for pursuing a unique mission in translational and applied biomedical research that is unsuitable for academia, the pharmaceutical industry, or other federal contractors. This position is ideally suited for a person who is interested in applied Research & Development. The selected candidate will join the Investigative Toxicology Laboratory (ITL) located at the NCI-Frederick campus. The mission of the ITL is to support the NCI Toxicology and Pharmacology Branch with laboratory investigations of anticancer drug adverse effects that inform NCI Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP). ITL develops and implements mechanism-based, human-relevant, in vitro assays with cutting-edge technology to improve and apply translational accuracy and predictive power of organ toxicity assessments for early discovery and development of new anticancer agents, and to screen compounds for remedies that effectively prevent or reverse chemotherapeutic-induced organ toxicity. KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES Provide scientific and experimental contributions to in vitro strategies to investigate cellular toxicities that complement the mission of DTP to discover, develop, and characterize new anticancer drugs and their molecular targets Conduct experiments to identify potential liabilities (cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, on-/off-target cytotoxicity of cell-based therapies, etc.) and inform hit-to-lead and lead optimization Using current scientific and technical knowledge and experience, implement experimental strategies Experimental evaluation of established in vitro toxicology tools that enable high content evaluation, while developing and establishing new assays based on novel findings of toxicological mechanisms from the extramural community Conduct in vitro investigations to understand important toxicological findings arising from preclinical evaluations and first-in-human clinical trials of investigational agents Present experimental findings and their interpretations as needed to senior scientific leadership and project teams BASIC QUALIFICATIONS To be considered for this position, you must minimally meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below: Possession of a PhD degree from an accredited college or university according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency No work experience required beyond a Doctorate degree Experience in the experimental investigation and assessment of adverse drug effects at the cellular, biochemical, and/or molecular level Evidence of ability to convert experimental findings into scientific communications, such as peer-reviewed publications or presentations at a national scientific conference Excellent verbal and written communication skills for presenting and articulating experimental findings and their conclusions to project teams and more general audiences Demonstrated contribution to publications in scientific journals Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration: Experience with validation and application of established in vitro assays, and/or the development of new ones, with robust analytical performance to quantify adverse drug effects Experience with sterile technique and cell culture of cell lines, primary human cells, and hiPSC-derived cells Track record of accomplishments in investigative toxicology and/or pharmacology Knowledge and experience using cutting edge assay technologies and investigative systems Ability to convert newly discovered mechanistic toxicology information into robust screening assays Laboratory experience with targeted agents for cancer, including immunotherapeutics Experience working in a Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) environment, under Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), or in other structured testing laboratory settings JOB HAZARDS This position is subject to working with or has the potential for exposure to animals(s) and/or animal material(s) This position is subject to working with or has the potential for exposure to infectious material, requiring medical clearance and immunizations Commitment to Non-Discrimination All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, color, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws. Pay and Benefits Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here 93,800.00 - 134,285.00 USD The posted pay range for this job is a general guideline and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include, but are not limited to, responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as internal equity, and alignment with market data. The salary range posted is a full-time equivalent salary and will vary depending on scheduled hours for part time positions

Keywords: Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Chantilly , Investigative Toxicology Scientist I, Science, Research & Development , Frederick, Virginia